Yeah it is a low cost operation, but pilot costs are 3/5ths of 4/8ths of ****** all of the total cost of the operation. Those of you who think that by employing ex Ansett or AWAS or other O/S pilots on lower wages than QF mainline pilots will magically achieve most of Oz Airlines cost reduction targets are mistaken (or are wishfully thinking either about a job for yourself or are jealous about any further opportunities for QF pilots). Think about all the other bigger costs: Cabin Crew, inflight service, maintenance etc. These are the areas that will be targetted for significant cost reductions. By basing in CNS you have already reduced Pilot costs because they can fly to all the planned destinations as a two man crew instead of the three man crew that is required out of SYD. By employing QF mainline crew on secondment to Oz Air they will achieve further pilot cost reductions through reductions in pay role tax and different conditions of service etc. It will also have benefits in synergies & quality control of the training of crew, route/regional experience of the crew, industrial harmony etc.
My prediction: QF mainline pilots will crew OZ Airlines on a 3-5 year secondment.